The dedication of Sal Viscuso to the craft of acting can be dated to a singular evening in 1967. A college freshman, he happened upon a teleplay of Ronald Ribman's CBS Playhouse: The Final War of Olly Winter (1967) and was so inspired by Ivan Dixon's Emmy-winning rendition of the title role that he entered the drama department the very next day, later explaining, "I felt that there I had found my family." He earned his BA from the University of California at Davis, then went on to study with Olympia Dukakis at NYU School of the Arts, from which he graduated with an MFA.
Opportunities presented themselves rapidly, and Sal made his film debut in the classic The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974). An introduction to Burt Metcalfe, associate producer of the iconic series M*A*S*H (1972), led to his move to Los Angeles, and soon Sal was a regular on NBC's sitcom The Montefuscos (1975). He was an off-screen loudspeaker announcer (as well as various other characters) on M*A*S*H (1972); appeared in Gene Wilder's homage to 1920's Hollywood, The World's Greatest Lover (1977); improvised in Robert Altman's Three Women (1977); and played multiple parts on the beloved Barney Miller (1975) (one of which was written especially for him by the show's creator, Danny Arnold).
He was also to feature in what TIME magazine has rated as one of the "Top 100 TV shows of all time," Susan Harris's Soap (1977). His vocationally challenged Father Timothy Flotsky (and the show's depiction of one of the first openly gay characters on network television), created instant controversy that attracted 19 million viewers to the series premiere. Shortly thereafter, Sal commenced his professional association with the Bancroft/Brooks combine of talent, first appearing in Anne Bancroft's Fatso (1980), and then in Mel Brooks' Spaceballs (1987), about which he has remarked, "I continue to get more attention from that project than from anything I've ever done!"
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Judge
2022
Station 19
Mr. Phillips · (1 episode)
2018
9-1-1
Anton · (1 episode)
2018
Hollywood Seagull
Dr. Don Dorn
2013
Scandal
Clark · (2 episodes)
2012
Castle
Tommy Valentine · (1 episode)
2009
The Mentalist
Walter · (1 episode)
2008
The Cure for Boredom
Joey
2001
When Billie Beat Bobby
Sports Writer Mike
2001
The Amati Girls
Father Dedice
2001
Boston Public
Arthur Ryan · (1 episode)
2000
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Sal Avelino · (1 episode)
1999
Providence
(1 episode)
1999
EZ Streets
(1 episode)
1996
Pinocchio's Revenge
Jail Guard
1996
The Dentist
Matthew Zeigler
1996
Kicking and Screaming
Bar Teacher
1995
Perry Mason: The Case of the Jealous Jokester
1995
Touched by an Angel
Dennis · (1 episode)
1994
ER
Mr. Weller · (1 episode)
1994
Diagnosis: Murder
Dick Douglas · (1 episode)
1993
Diagnosis: Murder
Phil · (1 episode)
1993
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Bobby Bigmouth · (5 episodes)
1993
Batman: The Animated Series
Monk (voice) · (1 episode)
1992
Beverly Hills, 90210
Hal Zareth · (1 episode)
1990
American Dreamer
(1 episode)
1990
Dream On
Policeman (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1990
Booker
(1 episode)
1989
14 Going on 30
Mr. Lloyd
1988
Jake and the Fatman
(1 episode)
1987
Spaceballs
Radio Operator
1987
Sledge Hammer!
(1 episode)
1986
Jake Speed
News stand Attendant
1986
Matlock
(1 episode)
1986
2 1/2 Dads
1986
Amazing Stories
Sergeant Redmond · (1 episode)
1985
Spenser: For Hire
(1 episode)
1985
This Wife for Hire
Paul Bellini
1985
Cover Up
(1 episode)
1984
Hunter
Sam Olan · (1 episode)
1984
Princess Daisy
Wingo · (2 episodes)
1983
Max Dugan Returns
Coach Roy
1983
It Takes Two
(1 episode)
1982
Silver Spoons
(1 episode)
1982
Family Ties
Richard Jacobs · (1 episode)
1982
Family Ties
Richard Grasso · (1 episode)
1982
Cagney & Lacey
Keppler · (3 episodes)
1982
Fantasies
1982
Fame
(1 episode)
1982
Falcon Crest
Judge Connor Stewart · (1 episode)
1981
Simon & Simon
(2 episodes)
1981
Today's F.B.I.
(1 episode)
1981
Magnum, P.I.
Herbie · (1 episode)
1980
Fatso
Vito
1980
The Facts of Life
(1 episode)
1979
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force
1978
Fantasy Island
Prosecutor · (1 episode)
1978
The World's Greatest Lover
Assistant Director
1977
The Love Boat
Doug Ketchum · (1 episode)
1977
The Love Boat
Mark Carlson · (1 episode)
1977
The Love Boat
Charley Cole · (1 episode)
1977
Soap
Father Tim · (8 episodes)
1977
Soap
Tim Flotsky · (9 episodes)
1977
Soap
Father Timothy Flotsky · (1 episode)
1977
The Montefuscos
Nunzio Montefusco · (9 episodes)
1975
Barney Miller
Brenner · (1 episode)
1975
Barney Miller
Thomas Vitella · (1 episode)
1975
Barney Miller
Joseph Beatty · (1 episode)
1975
Barney Miller
Victor Renaldi · (1 episode)
1975
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Ptl. O'Keefe
1974
M*A*S*H
Patient John · (2 episodes)
1972
M*A*S*H
Sergeant Raymond McGill · (1 episode)
1972
The Mike Douglas Show
Self · (1 episode)
1961